So in my series about visualizing and then curating your abundance*, let's turn to seed organization!
*By the way, in my new set of books, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life, the third volume has all the Reasonably Clean House posts and ideas gathered together and… curated… so that you can follow my incremental method to gaining control over your home and the tranquillity of order.
A while ago, I popped in a story on IG about taking stock of what I had, seed-wise, preparatory to doing my seed order; it seemed timely, and anyway it was snowing hard and I needed some thoughts of spring.
Can you figure out what's going on here? The metal basket/tray thing I used last year is totally unreasonable as a seed caddy, as its wide side openings allow packets to slip out. Not to mention that the packets are just in a flat jumble and one spends all one's time rummaging (and picking up off the floor). Then there's a cute box with no dividers, and then a dumb plastic recipe-card affair that is not big enough for anything and doesn't stay shut.
Dear Rosie Hill messaged me right away to say, “You need this for your seeds” — and indeed, all the cool homesteading CSA-providing farming people do seem to have this clear one (affiliate link):
But Reader, as undeniably opportune, felicitous, and organizational as this item is, I have two traits that militated against such a problem-solving purchase:
- I don't have that many seeds, not being a homesteader, etc…
- I am not constitutionally capable of opening two plastic containers, outer and inner, to get to the seeds I do have, without being annoyed. Experience shows that my hands will be wet and/or muddy and I will be rummaging for what I want and be getting very impatient if I have to do more than reach into one box — lifting one lid is probably my limit.
Still, I realized at the moment I contemplated that container that I did, in my heart of hearts, want an organizer that would keep my seeds upright and, in the ideal world, in alphabetical order. A sort of filing system but for seeds, not cards.
Now, one thing you need to know about Habou (for new readers Habou is my mother — she passed away in October 2020): she was an artist, yes, but she was also first secretary, then office manager, then proprietor of her own business, a secretarial service, before she retired from that and mainly did her art.
She was keenly focused on office products and really knew how to file something. Very often, I — a shall we say non-expert in these matters — would vaguely mention some office-type need and voilà! “I think I have the right thing at my studio,” and it would appear!
About three years or so ago, when I realized I liked keeping my notes for talks on index cards and they began to multiply, she came home with a box for them; however, I felt it was too big and stuck it in the closet.
So when I was musing on what would fill my seed-storing needs, trying to visualize it (by which I mean just let thoughts come to me), it occurred to me that Habou would have some storage bin or something, in her room (which I have not completely sorted through), perhaps like Rosie Hill's (Habou also favored plastic bins for storing yarn and so on) — or have given me one that I'd forgotten, and I began to wander around the house looking for such a thing. I opened the closet door in the den and — there was that box!
And, most importantly, it has this thing that has a name — a “follower” — that can be snuggled up to keep the items upright.
And inside were not one but two index card file dividers! Meaning that I can have one section for vegetables and herbs and one for flowers!
I also realized that I could use greeting and prayer cards that I admit: I cannot throw certain ones away! — to further separate sections, such as beans from beets.
I made myself accomplish certain dreaded and procrastinated chores before I would allow myself the pleasure of even opening the packages I had ordered. And then I had a glorious time filing my seed packets into my old-school box.
NB: I like Baker Creek Seeds and St. Clare Seeds — they both have excellent customer service. The former's seeds come in that adorable mailer pictured above, and the latter's feature a small plastic bag inside the paper packet, pictured below, which is a relief to those of us who keep seeds a long, long time because we are only planting about 1/35th of the contents of a packet. Both companies tuck in a free sample or two of their seeds, and have fast shipping and strong conservative principles.
Anyway, to get back to the topic, even though those attractive and undeniably shiny plastic bins were 40% off at Joann's (where I went to get something else that was not there), I am super happy with this way of storing my seeds. It's probably not for everyone, but maybe gives you some idea of my wacky thought processes, so that's something…
I also felt vindicated in my practice of never throwing anything away curating abundance, and being able to come up with these things without spending a cent. I think I will use that cute little box for sundries like plant markers and who knows?
But this fascinating, gripping tale does not end there, because the other day when I was preparing for a talk, I took out all my index cards. Now that I understood and had experienced the box with its follower and overall brilliance, I realized: I actually need just that box for my index cards!
So… I ordered one (affiliate link) for that purpose! I know! You can laugh! My eyes are rolling too!… Habou's too…
bits & pieces
- Loyalty Nearly Killed My Beehive — an informative account, if you like thinking about bees, of a fairly new beekeeper and his attempts to save his shaky Brooklyn rooftop hive.
- You know I love this one: How the children’s classics can change your life.
- After my post about undergarments, I offer you this: Victorian French Lingerie and Its Popularity.
- Stella Morabito documenting early distant warnings that should be heeded: If The Left Ends Parent Rights, You Might Need A License To Raise Your Own Child
from the archives
- Those of you who start hyperventilating at the thought of decluttering, achieving minimalism, or even seeing what does and does not Spark Joy, may be interested to know that the step before the first step, the “pre”-step, if you will, in my system is simply to tidy and dust what you have, rather than worrying about getting rid of things right off the bat. I wrote a little about it here, recounting a memory of my grandfatherly, tidy (but by no means minimalist himself) neighbor coming over and straightening out the magazines on my coffee table (well, old trunk in the living room). You have to go through a lot of other chit-chat to read, but there it is.
liturgical living
In the old calendar (which I am becoming more attached to — how about you?), tomorrow begins Septuagesimatide.
“Septuagesimatide, or pre-Lent, is the name given to the three consecutive Sundays preceding Ash Wednesday… Septuagesima can teach us many valuable lessons: that Lent should not be begun abruptly or thoughtlessly but preceded by a period of adjustment; that uttering sacred words is a privilege which should not be taken for granted; that sin puts us in exile from our True Home; and that the Old Testament, with its many significant events, is perpetually relevant to the lives of Christians.”
And another reflection on the preparation for Lent.
follow us everywhere!
My book, The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life is available now from Sophia Press! And it’s 30% off (along with everything on the site) until Feb. 9!) All the thoughts from this blog collected into three volumes, beautifully presented with illustrations from Deirdre, an index in each volume, and ribbons!
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Rosie Hill says
Is it terrible that I now have TWO of those seed organizers, one for flowers and one for herbs & veggies 😂😂😂 I am glad you had something on hand that would work for your needs! I will admit that I also do not love opening and closing the fiddly plastic inner containers, but I’m practically allergic to organization and these have forced me to organize!
Rosemary says
If that is terrible, I don’t want to know what it means that I’m contemplating buying a second when all I have is a tiny urban backyard … 😬😂
But I sell seedlings!! They totally pay for themselves … I’m sticking to that story. 😁
Leila says
Well, Rosie, you lit a fire under me and that’s what counts!
Kate says
I keep my seeds in a small plastic bin with a snap on lid. As much as I avoid plastic storage for aesthetics, I knew I needed something waterproof for the seeds. I have been known to occasionally leave the seed bin outside, so this was an essential upgrade (much better than tucking seed packets into my apron pockets). I don’t file seeds since I don’t have that many varieties. I use regular clothespins to pin together categories. My husband mainly manages our vegetable garden. The most organization I’ve managed with him is to at least put all the seeds in envelopes or baggies and put them in a plastic bin. He saves seeds from our own plants and he leaves bowls (my ramekins!) and saucers of drying seeds all over the house. In late winter, he empties the seed bin on the kitchen table, spreads everything out, and decides what he needs to order. There has got to be a better way. He’s a bit ADD, so I suppose I should be content.
Cami says
Leila, I love the box you chose for your seeds. I’d definitely chose a sturdy papery box over plastic. That’s just me. Also, I saw your Summa Domestica box set irl yesterday at my friend’s shop. I told my children that I’m asking for it for my birthday this year. Leila (and fellow readers), if you’re ever in the Avon, CT area The Domestic Monastery is my favorite all-time Catholic gift shop. It has both new and vintage Catholic items. You’ll find some lovely items homeschoolers can especially appreciate too. It’s also just a place you want spend time in while you mentally redecorate your home in all the beautiful art carefully placed about. The owner, Dee dee may also offer you a cup of tea. 😊
Leila says
Sounds delightful!
Yes, I did balk at all the plastic. I could even see a box like mine made of plastic with a follower-type arrangement to keep the packets upright. Back in the day I did have two small plastic bins to store my seeds, but ultimately became annoyed at the fip-back lid which would not really stay open.
We’ll see how long my solution lasts!
Rebecca says
The Victorian Lingerie article is one that I linked to in the comments of your post from two weeks ago. It was an attempt to answer a commenter’s question about a Hitchcock film. I hope she reads the link!
I keep my seeds in a big Ziplock in the freezer. Inside the bag is messy. Does anyone else store theirs in the freezer?
Leila says
Oh, yes, thank you for piping up, Rebecca. A tab gets opened and then a week later I have no idea who sent the link!
I do not keep my seeds in the freezer… but it could certainly work to take them out of the organizer at the end of the season and pop them in (in a ziploc as you say) and then take them out again in the spring.
My only worry would be condensation as the temp changed… do you think it would affect the ultimate germination and storage life?
Rebecca says
Auntie Leila, I recall reading that seed companies freeze their seeds. Now that I am digging for details, I see that this is a very controversial topic. So, I don’t know what is right. Condensation is a concern. No one should take gardening tips from me, for sure.
Samantha Webb says
Thank you Leila! I think I’m going to copy you. 🙂 I have all of my seeds crammed into an envelope 🤦♀️😅
Leila says
Follow me for more crazy tips!!😘
raphaelarchangelus says
I just followed your site. ♥️
Michelle says
I absolutely love the tea towel that you have on your table.
Leila says
Thank you! Sometime I’ll show the whole thing — it’s actually a small tablecloth, all about Canada! It’s super pretty and I just had to pull it out now!
claybyfaith says
cause you know Canada is on our minds these days. SUCH a lovely place 😉
Kim F. says
I absolutely love repurposing something I already have in the house!! It’s such a small victory and justification for hanging on to things. Although, I do like a good purge now and then. My seeds are all in a big jar with a screw on lid but I am constantly buying seeds that I already have, so it’s obviously not a great storage system. I have to tell you, Leila, your books arrived on my doorstep yesterday and despite the saying, “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” I most certainly am. They are gorgeous!! And I adore the illustrations. I haven’t gotten very far into the first book but I love your conversational tone and I know these are going to be books I will treasure. My daughters are 17, 15, 14, and 9 but I cannot wait to buy them each a set!! Thank you for all the hard work and sharing your talents with us all. God bless!
Leila says
Oh, thank you, Kim! The design is all I could have hoped for!
Dixie says
I’m trying a binder with those clear sheet protectors that hold 4 photos each for my seed packets this year. I read about it somewhere and I’m excited, because it means I can see the front of each packet easily!
Dixie says
Speaking of gardens, I need someone to teach me how to use a hoe to weed…why does it just never work for me? I end up mulching way more than I’d like or hand-weeding huge amounts (kill me now) or paying some teenager to do it and I really just need to know how to get a hoe to actually work. Tips? The internet doesn’t seem to do it. Rosie and Leila, I bow down before you with your gardening!
Leila says
You need this one, a stirrup hoe: https://amzn.to/3GQMy9X I have never been able to use a regular hoe! But this kind is so easy. You are just disturbing the roots. A hoe works on annual weeds — perennial weeds need to be pulled out, boo. Or covered with cardboard (after cutting down/strimming) and then mulch/wood chips, the no-dig way.
Dixie says
Ooh, that’s an interesting hoe. Thanks for the recommendation! Do you have to sharpen it, or does it work as is? Sometimes I’ve wondered if maybe there’s just some magic I’m supposed to do to prep a hoe that I’m not doing…
Leila says
Of course — you’re supposed to sharpen all your tools! Have I ever? no… 😉
Dixie says
I feel heroic when I sharpen my pruners!!! I guess I need to face learning how to sharpen a hoe…I can never find my file…
Cirelo says
The Japanese style hoe is life changing for hand weeding, it’s so sharp and easy to keep it so. Here’s one example https://www.easternleaf.com/Kusakichi_Nejiri_Scraper_p/112940-01.htm
I think you can get long handled versions but I have only ever had the short one. Also, sharpen your tools, it was a huge wake up call to me how big a difference it made in weeding ease. It’s weird too how hard it is to find someone who will help you put an edge on some of these tools that should have an edge. I bought a regular ole hoe a couple years ago from some box store and asked if they could sharpen it for me and they looked like i had lobsters crawling out of my ears. But it had no edge at all and you can’t really put that first edge on by hand very easily! I took it home and tried to use it and it was like trying to butcher a cow with a baseball bat or something. No cutting just bludgeoning– that’s not what you want!
Dixie says
Hahaha! Yes, that is about how well my current hoe works…probably could not even bludgeon a cow with it, honestly…
Rebekah says
The parent license article doesn’t even touch the fact that states consider parents unfit if they don’t perform the status quo dental and medical issues well visits or that the very act of compulsory education undermines parents as the final authority.
People are so ignorant- we are already here, quietly, the take over has happened but no one spoke early enough.
I get this question a lot today, especially with Covid. What’s the big deal about a little accommodation?
Well the battle is lost before most know it happened.